Page 11 - FOUNDATIONS FOR LIFE; EXPLORING GOD’S UNIVERSE

Science Y6 – Electricity – week 2

CONDUCTORS AND INSULATORS

Truth to Teach (Source)

 Conductors and insulators of electricity

Way to Work (Means)

Equipment: Wires, batteries, bulbs, crocodile clips, switches, materials for testing

1. Review the previous lesson.

2. Talk about conductors and insulators and the reason for both being necessary in our lives, eg insulators prevent
us from getting electric shocks, conductors carry electricity and complete circuits.

3. Give the children samples of materials to test whether they are conductors or insulators. The easiest way to test
is to have a block of wood into which two metal hooks are placed. A battery and bulb can be joined by wires to
each hook then the material to be tested can be laid across the top of the hooks to see if it completes the
circuit.

Battery Bulb

4. Materials to be tested could include brass, steel, lead, aluminium, rubber, cork, carbon, tin foil, string, card, paper,
copper, wood, carpet, plastic and plastic- covered wire with exposed ends.

5. The children may like to go around the school testing door knobs, radiators, fencing, litter bins, etc.

6. Gather to discuss how to record their findings in table form either on the computer or by hand. Talk about any
spiritual parallels which could be drawn from the exercise.

Learning for Life (Fulfilment)

The children should have a better understanding of conductors and insulators and the need for both in our daily lives.

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